Thanks to all who have followed this to the end-and yes, it's finally ending!

Chapter 34

Fiona was in the side yard hanging Ezra's clothes out when she saw movement to her left. She gasped as a man appeared. Then she sighed in relief. "Darby! I thought you were gone away from here—far. You're a hunted man, you know, but I am glad to see you." She went to her brother and he hugged her and she kissed his cheek, rough with stubble.

"Am I wanted for murder? The woman, did she die?"

"No—lucky for you. I told them, Darby. I told them that it was you and that man Judd what took Mrs. Cartwright. You need to turn yourself in. Judd's been caught and from what I heard, he's in a bad way. I don't know if he's been shot or what it is but the sheriff is bringin' 'im in. The Mister must have hurt him in some way when he caught up with 'im."

"Good thing we separated them. Is he to be hanged?"

"No—I think not-the Missus didn't so it's not murder die but Judd'll probably be spendin' some time in jail—extortion is what they called it. And then—I think it was assault they added to the charges."

"Assault? Just because we spanked her?"

"You did what?"

"The woman, she kicked me and Judd already had her over the saddle so he walloped her on the arse. That's all. We never touched her again although there was talk about us usin' her if no one paid the price but we never did. As for me, it was talk to make 'er frighted—I don't know about Judd. We were just goin' to keep 'er until the Cartwrights paid but when she started bleedin', that's when we got scared and ran. But we never hit her. That is what the word 'assaulted' means, isn't it—to hit someone?"

"I don't know how the law sees—defines it-but all I know is that's part of the charges." Fiona looked around. "You've got to go into Virginia City and turn yourself in to the constable. Please, Darby. It'll go easier on you if you turn yourself in. And in a jail cell, the Mister can't get at you. He's a dangerous man when riled."

"What about you, Fiona? They know you knew what was to happen since you told. What about you?"

"I'm dismissed. I'm just stayin' on until the Missus is well—stronger. The Mister won't be happy I'm still here and I can't say I'm not afeared a bit to face him but…well, she asked me to stay on. But when I go, I'll stay in town and help you—I promise. Please, Darby, turn yourself in or the Mister will hunt you down and eventually he'll find you and you'll come to a bad end."

"Well, Mother always said I would." He chuckled at his sister.

"Darby…"

"Oh, now smile, girl. Your darlin' brother's alive and well. Don't you worry about me, dear sister. You've taken a burden from my mind with the news that the woman is alive." He kissed her on the cheek.

"Please, Darby. Please." Fiona clung to his jacket sleeve.

"I have to go." He stated to leave but turned back. "I do love you, child, and wish I could stay and take care of you but I can't. This is a big country—a new one and there're many places for a man to find work and be lost among the others. I hear there are many Irish in the south of this fine country—and honest ways for a man to make a livin'. I may even join the army." He then turned back and kissed his sister again. "Take care, girl."

Fiona watched her brother leave and knew she would never see him again. "God be wi' ye, Darby Flanagan," she whispered. She sighed and went back to her chore but couldn't help but weep.

"It's Adam!" Sylvia knew when she heard horses in the yard that Adam was home. She put aside her cross stich and stood. Her knees were weak and she almost had to sit down again.

Fiona, who had been reading Robinson Crusoe even though she knew she would probably never have time to finish it, looked at Sylvia. The fire was burning to stave off the evening's chill and cast a golden light on Sylvia's face. She looks like an angel, Fiona thought, in her white robe and laces. And to Fiona, it seemed that Sylvia had matured years in just a few days. After all that had happened to her, she wasn't mired in self-pity or if she was, she didn't moan and complain to others. She had allowed Fiona to stay on a few more days and although the two women were not friendly, they were cordial. Sylvia had made it clear that it was for Ezra's sake alone and his need for care that she could stay. And, Sylvia had added, "Ezra loves you and has grown to be a generous, caring child; to me that bespeaks an innate goodness in you since you have mainly raised him up to now. As for your…'affection' for my husband that you spoke of, at first I was upset but I can well understand his draw. For that alone, I have to insist that you no longer remain in our employ permanently. I will explain to my husband why you're still here."

When Fiona had earlier that day told Sylvia that Darby had just come by and left, Sylvia's face froze. "I tried to convince him to turn himself in but I doubt he will. He said he's goin' to lose himself among others somewhere, perhaps in the south or join the army. He may reconsider surrenderin' to the law but I don't think he will. He was relieved to find that you…hadn't perished. If you like, I'll go to town and inform the constable."

Sylvia didn't say anything for a few moments. "No. Don't."

Fiona wasn't sure that she understood. "It could be Hop Sing who rides into Virginia City and lets the law know."

"No, Fiona. And don't tell Adam—or anyone else."

Fiona felt intense relief. "Thank you for that," Fiona said. "My brother is not a bad man—he's just, well, growin' up with nothin', I suppose that when he was given the chance he…I'll make no more excuses for him, but I do appreciate your kindness."

Sylvia gathered herself. "Let me disabuse of that. It's not out of kindness; it's for myself and Ezra. If Adam knows that Darby was here, he'll take off after him and I won't be able to bear it—to have him gone and to worry about what he'll do if he finds your brother. That's the worst—the worry. That's why I don't want you to tell him—or anyone else. Swear to it. I'll tell him myself—one day when his anger has abated. And by then you'll be gone so there'll be no more rage directed at you."

Fiona readily agreed. She found it strange that the Missus didn't want revenge, didn't want to see both of the men who had abducted her, who had caused her the loss of a future child punished. But she could also understand her reasoning. So it came as no surprise to Fiona that when Sylvia heard the sound of hooves in the yard, she quickly stood and once she had steadied herself, rushed to the door, threw it open and stood in the doorway in her robe.

With the light behind her, it was difficult for Adam to see Sylvia's face. He dropped his horse's reins and strode to the door where he faced Sylvia. Without a word, she threw her arms up and about his neck. He held her and lifted her slightly off the ground.

"You're home, you're home," she murmured.

"You knew I would be—I wouldn't leave you and Ezra. Now kiss me." And she eagerly complied. Adam lifted her up and carried her into the house; the room was empty and Adam sat her on the settee while he kneeled in front of her.

"What happened to your face?" she asked, reaching out to touch his purpled jaw.

"Oh, I ran into a fist." He chuckled slightly. "It's nothing."

"And your hand?" Sylvia touched the white bandage wrapped about his hand.

"Oh, that…just split a few knuckles but they're bandaged and soon they'll be good as new; just can bend them. Don't worry, I'll still be able to use my best hand on you." He grinned as she blushed; the color came back into her cheeks.

"Adam, don't talk like that."

He laughed and then reached up and pushed the hair from her brow. "How can you become more beautiful in just three days?"

"Oh, don't be silly. I know how tired and pale I look—and thin. I think I've even lost my…bosom."

"Let me check," he said, feigning opening her robe.

"Oh, Adam, stop." He laughed and smiled at her. "Is Hoss all right? Was he hurt?"

"No, he's fine." Adam stood up. "I need to help Hoss with the horses and then bathe and a shave and after, I'll check in on Ezra and then join you upstairs. You go rest now." He looked around. "Where's Pa and Joe?"

"Your father went with the sheriff to fetch Judd from Cooperville. Judd was hurt—too hurt to sit a horse."

"Hurt? Hmm. Wonder how that happened? And Joe?"

"He's in town waiting for a wire from your father. As soon as it arrives, he's to bring it back—if you're home, well, we don't have to respond but I want to. Joe said that he'd stay in town until it arrives."

Adam leaned down, resting a hand on the settee arm. "Go to bed, Mrs. Cartwright."

"All right but, Adam, don't check in on Ezra tonight."

"Why not? He's fine, isn't he?"

She smiled. "Yes, he's fine. As much of a terror as always and twice as rambunctious."

"What is then? I won't wake him."

Sylvia paused. "It's that Fiona is still here. It wouldn't do to walk in one her at night." Since Fiona had left, Sylvia assumed that the girl had headed upstairs just to avoid facing Adam and his wrath.

"I dismissed her. She should be gone. Why is she still here?"

"I asked her to stay until I'm able to do more. I'm forbidden by the doctor to even pick Ezra up. How would I be able to care for him by myself?"

"There's my father and Hop Sing…"

"Adam, they're old men, not up to watching a baby and they also have other responsibilities. Fiona knows she's to go soon. Just…please…be amicable until she goes."

"Sylvia, you had no authority to ask her to stay on. I hired her and…"

"Adam, you left me here alone and so I made…"

"You weren't alone. I would've never gone if you had been here alone but you weren't."

"I felt alone—all alone. You're my husband, the father of the child I lost….we lost…and you left to get revenge and I had no idea if you would ever return alive or not. Do you know how horrible it was for me? Did you care? You should have left it to the law to handle but you had to avenge your honor, the dignity of Adam Cartwright.."

"Had I left it to the law, Judd would be hidden in the Oregon mountains having never paid for what he did to you. I had to make him pay—to have him experience some of the fear and terror that you did. He needed to be taught and I needed to avenge you, not myself."

"Adam don't raise your voice to me." Sylvia was a bit cowed by Adam but still maintained a strong front.

"I'll raise my voice, I'll raise hell, I'll raise corn if I like! I had to go after Judd before he escaped me. I had to make him pay. I had to see him punished by my own hand."

"And you only hurt yourself, didn't you?" Sylvia waited.

"Oh, no—I assure you, he's hurt far more. You just don't understand, Sylvia, and you never will." He stood and looked away. He had done what he did just fpr his wife, just for her so that she would know that at least one of the men who had taken her was adequately punished. But if he stayed, he would say things he would later regret. "I'm going to help Hoss with the horses." Adam stalked out of the house.

Sylvia sat for a few more minutes and then slowly crossed the room and walked up the stairs. She felt weary. Adam was home and she was relieved and then she had made him angry and now they were at odds. I should have stayed quiet—not challenged him. He was home…home…safe. I had to speak my mind and rouse his anger. Sylvia entered the bedroom and was surprised that it all looked the same since her world had now shifted. The lamp was burning on the nightstand and she lowered the wick, removed her robe tossing it on her vanity stool, and crawled under the sheets. Soon she was asleep, almost as if she had been drugged. She hadn't remembered falling asleep but she knew she was wakened in the darkness by two strong arms pulling her into his embrace and hearing Adam's voice whispering next to her ear.

"I'm sorry, Sylvia. Please. Can you forgive me for being such an ass?"

His skin was cool and his hair was still damp but his mouth on her neck was hot. He smelled of the air and the grass and of the solid pines of the Ponderosa.

"You're forgiven even before you've erred," she whispered, "because I love you." And she smiled to the darkness around her as she felt herself back in the shelter of her husband's arms.

"That's what I'm depending on—that you love me. I only hope that I'll forever deserve it." Adam settled into the soft bed with his world in his arms. He had found redemption for all his sins—present and future through the elemental emotion of love.

~Finis~